Fibrinolysis and Hemorrhage in a Fatal Case of Heat Stroke

WIDESPREAD hemorrhage is common in fatal heat stroke.1 Before 1962, hemorrhage was generally attributed to increased capillary fragility, thrombocytopenia and hypoprothrombinemia.1 2 3 4 However, in that year hemorrhage associated with significant fibrinolysis was first reported in a fatal case of heat stroke by Shibolet et al.5 These authors also observed 2 additional cases with afibrinogenemia in which studies for fibrinolysis were not performed.The present case of fatal heat stroke with severe hemorrhage is the second in which severe hypofibrinogenemia and fibrinolysis are clearly documented.Case ReportA 45 year-old roofer was admitted to Vanderbilt University Hospital on July 13, 1966, an . . .